BURY police station is to open 24 hours a day to the public under a shake-up of divisional operational hours.

The decision to extend the hours, which previously were from 7am-11pm, is being taken to improve the level of service provided.

And alterations have also been announced for other divisional offices in Whitefield, Ramsbottom and Radcliffe.

Bury, in common with other divisions throughout Greater Manchester Police, is implementing the changes to the opening hours of its station public enquiry counters.

Under the alterations, Radcliffe police station will now be open on Saturdays .

However, there will be loss of some afternoon opening hours at both offices in Whitefield and Ramsbottom, together with the withdrawal of Sunday cover.

But Bury divisional commander Chief Superintendent Phil Hollowood stresses anyone turning up at shut offices, and who require immediate help, will be given swift assistance.

"There are phones outside which links people with the area operations room which is the point from which officers are dispatched if they need help."

Commenting on the decision to open Bury police HQ 24 hours a day, he said: "This will provide front line access to the public and a place of safety for the more vulnerable members of society at all times.

"The big gain is that we now have a station open in Bury where anyone in the borough can go to 24 hours a day. "And an extra gain is that Radcliffe will now be open on Saturdays."

Defending the decision to cut back on afternoon hours and Sunday opening at Whitefield, Ch Supt Hollowood said this was partly due to the closure of the station's custody suite and the fact Sundays were reasonably quiet.

He went on: "We were keen to have one of our stations open 24 hours. We went for the biggest station and our headquarters in Bury.

"We carried out a careful analysis of Bury and Whitefield and the result was that Bury was the best for 24-hour opening.

"This was partly due to the fact it has a 24-hour custody facility and that solicitors, lay visitors and relatives can visit."

The commander stressed the new hours would offer consistency and allow people to be aware of full opening times.

The new hours, which come into force next week, are:

BURY open 24 hours a day.

RADCLIFFE 9am-5pm (Mon, Tues, Wed and Thurs). 10am-6pm (Fri and Sat). Closed Sundays/Bank Holidays.

RAMSBOTTOM 9am-5pm (Mon, Tues, Wed and Thurs). 10am-6pm (Fri and Sat). Closed Sundays/Bank Holidays.

WHITEFIELD 9am-5pm (Mon, Tues, Wed and Thurs). 10am-6pm (Fri and Sat). Closed Sundays/Bank Holidays.

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